Wave-power.



No. 653,270. Patented July l0, I900.

J. TDNKIN TH. WAVE POWER.

V (Application filed Oct. 17, 1898.) v (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Shee't l.

m: "cams PEYERS co. woTo-umou WASHINGTON, m-c.

No. 653,270. 0 Patented July 10,1000. J. TDNKINI TH. WAVE POWER.

(Application fild Oct. 1'7,- 1090. (No Model.) v 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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No. 653,270. Patented luly I0, I900.

- J. TONKIN; TH.

-WAVE"POWER.

(Application filed Oct. 17, 1898.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 (No Modei.)

Ill/I/Il/ Patented July l0, I900.

J. TONKIN TH. WAVE POWER.

(Application filed Oct. 17, 189B.)

4 Shaetx-Sheat 4.

(No Model.)

Qwi/lmmo n nonms PETERS m. woroljmou WASHINGTON, n c,

' UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

JUAN TONKIN TIL, OF IQUIQUE, CHILE.

w AvE-PowE-R'.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters latent No. 653,270, dated July 10, 1900.

Application filed October 17, I898; Serial No. 693,797. (No model.)

To all whont zltmrty concern: 7

Be it known that I, JUAN TONKIN 'lh., of

Iquique, in the Province of Tarapaca, Repubtion, reference being had to the accompany.

ing drawings.

The object of my invention is to produce improvements inapparatus for utilizing the force of waves, as of the ocean, in order to create a head of water and fordrawing off the supply or head so created in such a manner and under such conditions as will produce a current that is practically available for the purpose of driving a motor.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a top plan View of one form of embodiment of my invention. Fig. II is a view taken on the line II II of Fig. I and illustrating the apparatus partially in section and partially in front elevation, certain portions being broken away. Fig. III is a section on the line III III of Fig. I. Fig. IV is a central vertical section of a modified form of embodiment of my invention, partially in elevation, a portion of the earth underlying the floor of the supply tank being removed in order to exhibit the inner terminals of the supply-ports. Fig. V is a sectional top plan view of the subjectmatter of Fig.IV,taken as on line V V thereon.

Referring to the figures on the drawings, 1

' in Figs. I, II, and III illustrates a form of exterior wall which constitutes three sides of an inclosed reservoir, hereinafter denominated the discharge-tank of my apparatus. That wall may be made of any suitable material, that illustrated being intended to represent a wall of masonry set in hydraulic cement. At opposite ends the wall 1 preferably terminates, respectively, in heavy masses of solid masonry 2. They constitute flanking portions of'a front wall. The ends 2 have inwardly-converging faces 3 and are joined by a preferably upwardly inclined sea-wall or escarpment 4:, the convergent faces 3 and 4 constituting a contracted opening to the inte: rior of the inclosure defined by the Wall 1 and its ends 2. The purpose of the converging faces 3 being to embrace at their out-er 6X- tremities a comparatively-wide area of waveproducing surface, itis obvious that they may ably inclosed thereby.

be extended in the form of Wing-walls beyond the lines of the walls 1; but it is sufficient for the purpose of illustrating the principle of my invention to show them terminating flush therewith. In connection with thatinclosure which has been hereinbefore denominated the discharge-tank of my apparatus I employ another inclosure, which I denominate the supply-tank, and which, while it is not necessarily included within the space inclosed by the wall 1, is for economical reasons prefer- It is proper also to note that the converging wall-faces 3 are providedfor the supply-tank, with respect to which their functions solely relate. In other words, if the supply-tank and the dischargetank were separated the converging wall-faces 3 and 4 belonging to the supply-tank would follow it instead of being incorporated with the walls of the discharge-tank, as illustrated.

In the form of embodimentof my invention illustrated in Figs. I, II, and III the inclined Wall-faces 3 and 4 are built in with the wall 1 and are therefore so described.

Extending across from one end wall 2 to the other I provide a wall-section that is adapted either to shut out more or less entirely the sea-as, for instance, when the apparatus is at rest, or when it is inoperation to permit influx of water under the action of the waves of the sea, but to prevent its efflux. The mechanism last referred to may therefore be designated wave-entrapping mechanism.

The entrapping mechanism or Wall-section above referred to as extending between the walls 2 2 may be constructed in a variety of ways; but in the simple and for that reason preferred form illustrated in the drawings it comprehends a series of strong and rigidlyunited frame-pieces 6, (compare Figs. I, II, and 1H,) four frame-pieces being illustrated by way of example in the drawings. Each frame-piece is provided with a series of inwardly-opening valves 7. (See particularly Fig. III.) These valves may be respectively of any suitable shape and dimensions and such as are adapted to open automatically under the force of the impact of waves from the outside to permit the influx of water into the supply-tank, but which close automatically to resist eillux thereof from the tank.

As illustrated, they are of oblong rectangular IOO ' series must be greater.

form, hinged, respectively, as indicated at 8, to their respective frames 6, and closing, respectively, corresponding apertures 9 in the said frame 6. The valves 7 are arranged in vertical series in order to accommodate the apparatus to a Wide variation of sea-level and tides. It is obvious that in some localities the apparatus must be of greater height than in others. Forinstance, in places where high tides prevail the wall of the apparatus must be constructed accordingly, the frames 6 must be higher, and the number of valves 7 in each In the drawings each series includes four valves, illustrated by Way of example. The inwardly-opening valves are adapted to perform the required office above specified when the apparatus is in. operation 5 but in order to exclude the sea wholly or in part from the supply-tank I provide, preferably, for each series a separate gate 10. These respective gates may work in suitable guides provided for them, as in vertical guide frame-pieces 11, incorporated with or secured to the frames 6 at suitable intervals. .Each gate is provided with independent means of opening and closing itsuch, for example, as a vertical threaded rod 12, ex-

tending from the gate and passing through an aperture in a cross-bar 13, supported upon standards 14, erected upon the end walls 2, for example. Each threaded rod or screw 12 may be controlled by a hand-wheel 15, screwed upon the rod 12 above the cross-bar 13, against which it works in the operation of lifting the gate.

In Fig. II of the two gates exhibited one is shown as closed and the other open. In practice, if all of the gates 10 be closed the sea would be prevented from passing through the apertures 9 and the apparatus rendered inoperative.

Under certain conditions it is desirable in apparatus of this description to partially exclude the seaforinstance, in rough Weather, when the waves run high and at frequent intervals. At such times the apertures 9, designed, collectively, to afford a sufficient water-supply under least favorable conditions, would admit an excess of Water; but by closing one or more of the gates 10 the supply may be reduced to any desired extent.

In the form of embodiment illustrated in Figs. I, II, and III the supply-tank above mentioned is defined on two sides by side walls 16 and 17. (See particularly Fig. I.) They are respectively joined to and extend rearwardly from the end walls 2 of the walls 1. Although the relative functions of the discharge-tank and of the supply-tank will hereinfter more clearly appear, it is proper in this place to state that a supply or head of water obtained in the supply-tank is drawn off to the discharge-tank in such manner and under such conditions as in flowing from one to the other to create a current that may be available for driving a hydraulic motor. With the above-described end in view the supplytank is provided near one end with a vertical partition-wall 20,that extends, in effect,across the space between the side walls 16 and 17.

21 indicates a water-tight wall uniting the ends of the walls 16 and 17. The space i11- closed by the walls 16 17 21 and the front wallsection which comprehends the frame 6 and their valves 7 constitutes in its broader aspect the supply-tank of my apparatus; but the supply-tank proper,which for convenience of description I shall herein designate by the reference-numeral 22, is defined by the front Wall-section above referred to, the partitionwall 20, and the portions of the walls 16 and 17 extending between the front wall-section and the wall 20. The walls 20 and 21 are illustrated as in the rearward portion of my apparatus or that part opposite to the front wall-section; but such location is non-essential, and in that respect also, as in most respects, the form of apparatus illustrated is shown only by way of example of a practical form of embodiment of my invention.

As above stated, the head of water from the supply-tank is drawn off to the dischargetank, and the power generated by the flow of water from one to the other is employed to drive a hydraulic motor.

My invention does not relate to improvements in hydraulic motors-that is to say, water-wheels-and I do not, therefore, illustrate or describe any mechanism of that kind, but only the means for producing a power to operate such mechanism.

Between the supply and discharge tanks and in operative relations with the current produced by the flow of water from the former to the latter I propose to employ one or more turbines or other water-motors. In the form illustrated I show four chutes 23, each built into a horizontal shelf or hanging Wall 24, supported as by the wall 21 and uprights 25 at suitable distance above the floor 26 of the discharge-tank. Where a plurality of chutes 23 are employed, each is separated from its neighbor as by a vertical partition-wall 27, the individual inclosure above each chute constituting, in effect, a penstock 28. For each penstock I provide agate 29, working between suitable vertical guides 30, and provided with means for independently raising and lowering the gate for opening and closing the penstock. Such means may, for example, consist, respectively, of screws 30, handwheels 31, screwing thereon, a cross-bar 32, and uprights 33, corresponding to the rods 12 and their cooperative elements previously described. By the employment of an individual penstock with its independently-operative gate 29 provision is made for operating one or more of the motors at will, whereby repairs may be made without interrupting the work of the entire apparatus or only so much power generated as may be required at a given time. In other words, a plant may be run at full power or at less, as work to be done may require.

In practice it is important in order to attain a practicable constancy of speed in the motors employed in conjunction with my apparatus to maintain a substantially-uniform head of water in the penstock or in the respective penstocks, if more than one motor be employed that is to say, that while the head may vary at different times it should not constantly and frequently fluctuate. Now the water-level within the tank proper, 22, is subject to material variation, depending upon numerous conditions-for example, the state of the weather, the consequent height and frequency of the waves, and the state of the tide. An important feature of my invention therefore consists in providing means for supplying a constant head from the supply-tank proper,22,to the penstock or penstocks of the apparatus. Such means for convenience of designation I shall call headregulating mechanism. In providing a preferred form of such mechanism I employ in the wall an elongated vertical aperture flanked by guides and 36 (see Fig. I) in the opposing edges of the sections of the wall 20. Within those guides I provide a freely-movable gate 37, adapted to descend into a suitable well or recess provided for it in a transverse foundat-ion-wall 38, that serves also to separate the floor 26 of the discharge-tank and the floor 39 of the supply-tank, as well as to support the wall 20 and the guide-pieces 30 or framing of the gates 29. The gate 37 should work freely, but snugly, in the well within the wall 38, although a little leakage around it, if taken into consideration, may be permitted. The gate 37 may be of any suitable and preferred extent,and I do not restrict myself to the employment of a single gate. I prefer, however, in order to avoid unnecessary weight in the gate to employ one of comparativelysmall dimensions. It is provided near its upper end with an orifice 40, the size of which is proportioned to the amount of water-supply required to be de livered to the penstock or penstocks. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the size of the aperture may be so regulated as to permit the passage of a given quantity of water per unit of time under a given pressure and that if a uniformity of pressure be obtainable a uniformity of supply is likewise obtainable. To secure the required uniformity of pressure, I provide the gate 87 with one or more floats 41, whose und or surfaces being in the same horizontal plane with the upper edge of the orifice 40 are adapted, their buoyancy being sufficient to sustain the weight. of the gate 37, to preserve a constant relation between the waterlevel in the tank 22 and the orifice 40, and thereby to preserve a uniformity of pressure in the water seeking exit through the orifice 40, notwithstanding the rise and fall of the water-level in the tank 22. To repress the tnmultuary tendency of the water contained within the tank 22, owing to the influx of water from the forcible impact of waves against the valves 7, I employ suitable means-for example, baffling-beams 42, anchored in the opposite walls 16 and 17 and preferably arranged on different levels. For a similar consideration, as well as to assist in holding the two sections of the wall 20 in rigid alinement, I prefer to employ a screen 43, preferably consisting of a sheet of metal, curved around the floats 41 and secured at its opposite ends, respectively, to the two sections of the wall 20. An aperture 45 of suitable size is provided in the screen 43 near its base for the admission of water to the gate 37. By the means described a perfectly-still surface for the floats 41 to rest upon may be ture a preferred and practically-tested form of embodiment of my invention, yet so far as the purpose of this specification is concerned they are regarded only as diagrammatical means of affording an explication of the principle of my invention, in unfolding which no attempt is made or required'to indicate with any degree of accuracy the relative areas of the supply and discharge tanks or the proportionate sizes of the various members employed in conjunction therewith. Such questions, indeed, can only be determined by calculations based upon a review and study of the ground where an apparatus is to be constructed. It is obvious, however, from a general view of the subject and takin g into consideration thatit is desirable, gen

erally, to maintain a level as high as possible within the supply-tank and as low as possible in the discharge-tank that the proportions of the two tanks most advantageous to the operation of the apparatus will varymaterially under different conditions. For example, if the sea be rough and the waves come in heavy and at frequent intervals there will be no difficulty in maintaining a high level in the tank 22. ever, which serve to abundantly supply a high level in the tank 22 will militate against the preservation of the lowest possible level in the discharge-tank. On the other hand, in calm weather when the waves are low and less frequent the problem will be not to main tain a low level in the discharge-tank, but a high level in the supply-tank. Now the operative efficiency of the apparatus as awholemust depend upon the area of the respective Those conditions, how-,

tanks. If the area of the supply-tank be great, the level in the supply-tank, occasioned .by the flow of water to the discharge-tank,

can be reduced but slowly. On the other hand, if the area of the discharge-tank be great the level in the discharge-tank, occasioned by the flow of water from the supplytank, can be raised but slowly. It is therefore practicable by constructing the respective tanks of maximum proportions to make provision for all contingencies. It would necessitate, however, an excessive expenditure to construct the tanks of such maximum proportions as would accommodate them both to most adverse conditions. The additional expenditure necessary to meet the most adverse conditions being disproportionate to the entire cost of theapparatus would be extravagant, because such adverse conditions might seldom present themselves. In order therefore to avoid excessive and wasteful expenditure in the construction of my apparatus, I propose to employ a common auxiliary tank-that is to say, a tank which may be made alternately to communicate with the supply-tank or the discharge-tank and, in effect, to increase the area of either to meet existing conditions and at the will of the operator.

The auxiliary tank above referred to is clearly illustrated in Figs. I and II of the drawings, in which it is indicated by the reference-numeral 50. It consists of a Watertight reservoir whose floor 51 is on a level with or no higher than the floor 26 of the dis charge-tank. A pipe or conduit 52 communicates with it in its lower part and with the supply-tank proper, 22. It is provided with three gates 53, 54, and 55, operated, respectively, by means of screws 56, 57, and 58. Each screw is provided with hand-wheels 59, 60, and 61, respectively, which work against bracket-supports 62, provided for them, respectively, and supported upon the walls 1 and 17 and a bridge 63. For the simple form of gate illustrated any suitable and preferred valve mechanism may be substituted.

By a proper manipulation of the several gates the reservoir may be incorporated with the supply-tank or with the dischargetank and supplied and emptied by the same means that tend to supply or empty those tanks, respectively. For instance, if the valve 53 be closed and the valves 54 and 55 be opened the reservoir 50 becomes a part of the discharge-tank. If the valves 53 and 5% be open and thevalve 55 closed, it becomes part of the supply-tank. By closing all of the valves the reservoir 50 is cut off from the apparatus. It may be observed that the valves 53 and 55 should never during the operation ofthe apparatus be open at the same time.

In the modified form of embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. IV and V, indicates a cylindrical wall that constitutes the outer wall of the discharge-tank, 66 the floor thereof, 67 the foundation-walls of the supply-tank, and 68 the floor thereof. 69 indicates an annular extension of the floor 68, which, assisted by uprights 70, supports the wall 71, that constitutes a partition between the supply and discharge tanks. Withinthe fioor 69 at suitable intervals are arranged turbine-chutes 72, corresponding to the chutes 23, previously described. The chutes are separated by partition-walls 75, which correspond to the walls 26, above referred to, and which, like those walls, define penstocks for their respective chutes. Each penstock may be closed by a gate 73, working in guides 74, assembled into a frame, as by cross-pieces 76. Each gate is provided with a screw 77 and a hand-wheel 78, that works againstan annular or polygonal bar 79, supported as upon uprights 80, the uprights being preferably prolongations of the guides 74. Within the inclosure defined by the several gates 73 and working freely in proximity to them is a series of connected automatic gates 81, one gate being provided for each penstock and the entire connected series working in a well 82 in the wall 67. The several gates 81 correspond to the gate 37, previously described, and each, like it, is provided with an orifice 83, adapted to regulate the water-supply to the respective penstocks.

It would be practicable to substitute for an individual gate 81 for each penstock a single gate for all, as was previously described with reference to Figs. I, II, and III; but, as was specified with reference to those figures, my invention in any form of embodiment contemplates the employment of a plurality of gates, one for each penstock. The assembled gates 81 are preferably carried by a float 85, common to them all, and united to them, as by across-piece 86. The walls 66 and 67 are pierced at suitable intervals by conical or funnel shaped supply ports entering, respectively', the floor 68 of the supply-tank, as through elbow-joints 88, within each of which is provided an inwardly-opening valve 89. The supply-ports 87 may be of greater diameter at the outer extremities than that illustrated, so as to comprehend a greater vertical scope of sea; but that is a mere matter of detail which may be varied at will. At frequent intervals between the supply-ports 87 I provide outlet-ports 90, corresponding to the ports 46 and provided with outwardly-opening valves 91, corresponding to the valves 47, already described.

The form of embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. IV and V is especially applicable to contracted bodies of water or nar- -row arms of the sea, in which the location of an apparatus of extensive area will tend by displacement of a large volume of water to raise the sea-level within the limited space referred to. Either form of embodiment of my invention may be used interchangeably, so far as the selection of a site for them, respectively, is concerned; but, as stated, I regard the apparatus shown in Figs. IV and V as more desirable for use in contracted bodies of water and that shown in Figs. I to III, inclusive, as more desirable-for use against the open sea or in exposed localities.

The operation of my apparatus is as follows: Referring to Figs. I, II, and III, suppose the tide to be at mean level (indicated byA in Figs. II and III) and that waves (not illustrated) are driving against the wave-entrapping mechanism, represented in those figures by the inwardly-opening valves '7. With each surge of the waves a portion of Water is driven forcibly into the interior of the tank 22 and is retained therein, the level in the tank 22 being indicated by the lines B. The height to which the level in the tank 22 will be raised above the mean level of the sea varies materially under different conditions. The amount of water forced into the tank 22 depends not only upon the frequency and volume of the waves, but upon'the force with which they are urged against the valves 7, so that a level within the tank 22 higher than the crest of the waves in the surrounding sea may be attained.

0 indicates the mean sea-level at a higher tide, and D a level within the tank obtainable at such higher tide.

In Figs. II and III the floats 41 are illustrated as carried upon thelower level B. It may be noted that as the level in the tank 22 rises the floats 451 will rise, carrying with them the gate 37.

\Vithin the discharge-tank it is practicable to maintain a level substantially the same as the outside sea-level. For instance, the level E in the discharge-tank is the same as the level A, and the level F is substantially the same as the level 0. This effect is produced under the operation of the law that liquids always tend to seek their level. In consequence of that law when the water at the lower level afforded by the trough of a wave is opposed to the valves 47 if the level within the discharge-tank be higher than the level of the trough of the wave the excess of water in the discharge-tank will rush out through the ports 46 to seek the lower level afforded by the trough of the wave. This action will recur with each recurring wave movement of the sea. Each successive opportunity for the discharge of water from the discharge-tank is therefore necessarily momentary. It is for that reason that the ports 46 are provided at as frequent intervals as possible in order that collectively they may in the brief moments afforded for the operation of the valves 47 tend effectually to reduce the level Within the discharge-tank.

It may be noted that the outWardly-opem ing valves 47 being vertically disposed operate successfully whether the level of the sea rises above them to any considerable depth or not. The rise of the tide will, as above explained, raise the level in the tank 22. It

will also raise the level, as indicated at F, in the discharge-tank; but a constant difference of levels in the supply and discharge tanks, respectively, will be maintained, and it'is owing to that fact that a current can always be produced in the penstock or penstocks.

It is proper to repeat here that the condition of the sea materially controls the respective levels in the supply and discharge tanks.

If the sea be rough, the level in the tank 22 smooth and the waves coming in at comparatively longer intervals provision must be made for maintaining a sufficient head of water in the tank 22. The discharge-tank, however, readily keeps itself drained to its low est level. At such times the auxiliary tank is placed in communication with the tank 22 in order that it may, in effect, enlarge the area of the tank 22, and thereby afford a greater head of water-supply. I During the rise and fall of the levels in the tank 22, to whatever causes they may be due, the floats 41 carry the gate 3'7 up and down and always present the orifice 40 for the discharge of water from the tank 22 at the same relative distance below the water-level. Gonsequently a pressure sufficiently uniform for practical purposes is maintained within the penstock or penstocks.

The operation of my apparatus illustrated in Figs. IV and V is substantially the same as that described with reference to Figs. I, II, and III. The Waves enter through the ports 87 and are entrapped in the supplytank, as by the valves 89.

Passing through the orifices 83, if a plurality of orifices are employed, the water issues to the penstocks and from them through the respective chutes 72 to the discharge-tank, that is kept drained to a lower level than that of the supply-tank through the ports 90 and their valves 91.

What I claim is 1. The combination with a supply-tank provided with wave-entrapping mechanism, of a discharge-tank operatively communicating therewith, and means Within the supply-tank for repressing the tumultuary tendency of water received through the wave-entrapping mechanism in the said tank, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with a supply-tank and waveentrapping mechanism, of a dischargetank operatively communicating with the supply-tank, and baffling-beams extending across the supply-tank transversely to the wave-entrapping mechanism, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a supply-tank provided with waveentrapping mechanism, of a discharge-tank operatively communicating therewith, a head-controlling mechanism between the supply and discharge tanks, respectively.

4. The combination with a supply-tank provided with wave-entrapping mechanism, and a discharge-tank operatively communicating therewith, of intermediate head-controlling mechanism consisting of an apertured gate, and'means for raising and lowering the gate proportionably to the rise and fall of the level of water in the supply-tank, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with asupply-tank provided with wave-entrapping mechanism, of a discharge-tank operatively communicating therewith, and intermediate head-controllin g mechanism consisting of an apertured gate, and a buoyant support, or float, adapted to rest upon the level of water in the supplytank, and "to automatically control the rise and fall of the gate, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with a supply-tank provided with wave-entrapping mechanism, of a discharge tank, a transverse partition between the supply and discharge tanks, a vertically-elongated aperture in said partition, and a float-supported apertured gate working in said aperturein the partition,substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with a supply-tank provided with wave-entrapping mechanism, of a dischargetank, a transverse partition between the supply and discharge tanks, a vertically-elongated aperture in said partition, a float-supported apertured gate working in said aperture in the partition, and a recessed screen connecting the two parts of the partition within the supply-tank in front of the wave-entrapping mechanism, of valve-controlled discharge-ports in said wall, interior walls connecting the head-sections, and defining within the first-named wall a supply-tank communicating with the wave entrapping mechanism, and means of communication between said supply-tank and the dischargetank defined by the first-named wall,substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with a discharge-tank provided with valve controlled dischargeports, an included supply-tank operatively communicating therewith, Wave-entrapping mechanism, and end sections common to the supply and discharge tanks, and provided with inclined faces converging toward the wave-entrappin g mechanism,substantially as set forth.

10. The combination with a supply-tank provided with means for obtaining therein a head of water at a higher level, a dischargetank provided with means for drawing off the water from the supply-tank to a lower level, an auxiliary tank, and means for establishing communication between the supply and discharge tanks, alternately, and the auxiliary tank, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination with supply and discharge tanks provided, respectively, with means for obtaining diiferent levels therein, of an auxiliary tank, a pipe connecting the three tanks, respectively, and gates adapted to establish independent communication between the auxiliary tank, and either the supply-tank, or discharge-tank, at will, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination with a supply-tank and a discharge-tank, of supply ports defined by convergent walls, communicating with the supply-tank and with the sea, and inwardlyopening valves in said ports.

In testimony of all which I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JUAN TONKIN TH. Witnesses:

S. G. HOPKINS,

THEO. S. HoPKINs. 

